Top names in music coming to Edmonds in 2014

Edmonds Center for the Arts hosts many exciting concerts during the first half of this new year.

Audiences can look forward to seeing the Indigo Girls, Judy Collins, Keb’ Mo and the Wailin’ Jennys, along with presentations by local groups such as Cascade Symphony Orchestra, Sno-King Community Chorale and Olympic Ballet Theatre.

Most events at the performing arts venue have a 7:30 p.m. curtain. Tickets for all Edmonds Center shows are available by calling 425-275-9595 on weekday afternoons, emailing boxoffice@ec4arts.org with your request or ordering online ec4arts.org.

Emily Saliers and Amy Ray — the Indigo Girls — are scheduled to perform Jan. 11. The duo’s rise in popularity began in 1989 with the release of their self-titled album, which included the song “Closer To Fine,” and went on to win the best contemporary folk recording award at the 1990 Grammys. Saliers and Ray plan to sing their classics as well as songs from their album, “Beauty Queen Sister,” released in late 2011.

On Jan. 17, the Grammy award winning Turtle Island Quartet is scheduled to be joined by singer Nellie McKay, whose talents on piano and ukulele join with the quartet’s innovative rhythms and original music.

Judy Collins is scheduled to perform Jan. 30. The folk singer’s career has spanned more than 50 years, and has included her renditions of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns.” Collins is to be joined by the Passenger String Quartet, a Northwest group.

Lunasa, which performs Celtic music, is set to play on Feb. 15. Lunasa was honored by Ireland’s Livies Music Awards as “performers of the decade” in 2010.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Keb’ Mo is scheduled to perform Feb. 21. The Grammy award winner’s music includes R&B, jazz, pop and folk.

On March 2, Project Trio, a chamber music ensemble, blends classical training with an eclectic taste in musical styles, including jazz, hip-hop and rock.

Forbidden Broadway, a comical roast of Broadway musicals, is scheduled for March 15. The stage event features outrageous costumes, hilarious rewrites of songs and dead-on impressions by a creative cast.

Kurt Elling is set to perform in concert on March 20. His rich baritone spans four octaves and features technical mastery in jazz improvisation.

The Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, beginning at 4 p.m. March 23, features a handful of well-known artists in the genre.